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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2017-2018
59
Asian Studies
Bachelor of Arts
Daniel Coyle, Program Coordinator
Asia is the world’s largest, most populous, and culturally diverse continent. Its area spans
from Japan in the Far East to Turkey and Arabia in the West, from Siberia in the North to
Indonesia in the South, and encompasses all territories in between. The Asian studies
interdisciplinary program provides students with the opportunity to learn broadly about
this vital and dynamic region of the world. The program offers a major and a minor, and
is synergistic with other academic majors. The curriculum covers classical and
contemporary global issues from across the region and from perspectives in humanities
and social sciences, including history, religion, philosophy, language, literature, film and
cultural studies, economics, and political science. Asian studies majors attain a basic
competency in Asian language(s), and develop important analytical and disciplinary
skills for independent research. The Asian studies program provides a solid foundation
for graduate study as well as careers in fields such as government service, international
business, banking, marketing, travel services, law, education, and journalism.
Upon completion of the Asian studies major, students will be able to
•
describe and analyze competently Asian cultures and societies in terms of
religious, philosophical, historical, economic, and political perspectives
•
demonstrate basic proficiency in an Asian language (or languages)
•
design and complete independent research that contributes disciplinary
understanding to Asian studies
Major Requirements
The following courses are required (11 units):
AN 101
AN 303 or AN 323
AN 470
four units in Asian languages, either four units in one language or two units each in
two languages
four elective units chosen from courses in the Asian studies curriculum, at least two
of which must be at the 300 level or above
Minor Requirements
The following courses are required (5 units):
AN 101
four elective units, at least two of which must be at the 300 level or above
Courses in the Asian studies curriculum
AN 150
AN 303
AN 323